The classic Aussie day out is making kids fat

The days of a fizzy drink and a melting ice-cream after a long day at the pool could be numbered.

A brand new study has found that almost all the food kids consume from Australian swimming pool kiosks is classified in the most unhealthy range.

And Deakin University is working with sports and recreation providers, first up in Victoria, to compile evidence to potentially reduce the amount of junk food sold at aquatic and recreation centres.

Although swimming pools have a healthy setting, the food sold in these spaces is usually nutritionally poor.

“Ice-creams, lemonade or hot chips often follow an afternoon of splashing about. But we know that when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, a good diet is just as important as regular exercise,” says lead researcher, Tara Boelsen-Robinson, from Deakin University’s Global Obesity Centre.

She believes improving the nutritional quality of foods in the kiosks and cafes could significantly reduce these kids exposure and therefore consumption of unhealthy options.

YMCA Victoria have got the ball rolling by introducing a Healthy Food and Beverage Policy, which includes the removal of soft drinks at its 70 outlets – with surprising results.

Although the soft drinks sales were lost, the study found that the kiosk’s turnover on beverages was unchanged – overall drink sales remained the same.

“YMCA Victoria would sell approximately 347,000 units of soft drink each year, which equates to close to 14 tonnes of sugar,” said Ariana Kurzeme, YMCA Victoria’s Advocacy Manager.

“This is a staggering amount of sugar and after examining the food and drinks we were selling in our centres we knew we had to make some significant changes.

“By removing soft drinks from sale, reducing junk food and providing healthier options, we saw a chance to promote healthy eating and improve the health of the communities we work with.”

But doesn’t all the exercise counteract the calorie consumption? Well, not according to the BUPA calculator, for the average 10 year old child:

Two Fried Dim Sims (1300 kilojoules)50 minutes of breast stroke

Golden Gaytime (1000 kilojoules)
Two hours of recreational pool play

A bucket of hot chips plus can of Coke (2100 kilojoules)90 minutes of fast freestyle